Formaldehyde-generator.



PATENTED OCT. 24, 1905` W. E. RAMSAY. FORMALDEHYDE GENERATOR.

APPLIATION FILED FEB. Z5. 1904.

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Speccaton of' Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1905.

Application filed February 25, 1904:. Serial No. 195,246.

To @ZZ whom t 711,04/ concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. RAMsAY, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Perth Amboy, in the county of Middlesex and State `of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Formaldehyde-Generator, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates y,to a formaldehydegenerator of a new and convenient construe tion.

Up to the present time the ordinary formaldehyde-generator has consisted of a reservoir to hold the formalin and a heating arrangement under the reservoir. so as to volatilize the formaldehyde in the solution. There are a number of disadvantages in such a device. For instance, in order to work economically a certain definite amount of formalin should be used for a certain definite area to be disinfected; but with the apparatus as now in use it is impossible to predeterininc the eXact amount of formalin to be used, as whatever is in the reservoir the whole of it must be evaporated. Then, again, the apparatus after being cooled first has to be recharged before another operation can take place. It takes considerable time before the volatilization starts, because the whole amount of the formalin in the reservoir has first to be heated to the boiling-point. The formalin contains methyl alcohol, the latter evaporating first on account of its lower boiling-point. This is a decided disadvantage, as experiment has shown that a mixture of formaldehyde with methyl alcohol has a greater germicidal power than formaldehyde alone.

My invention, as I have proved by practical experiments, overcomes all of the difIieulties referred to.

In the followingI have described, with reference to the accompanying' drawings, two structures embodying my invention, the particular features thereof being hereinafter pointed out in the claim.

Figure l is a side elevation of a formaldehyde-generator of large size constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, of a modification adapted particularly for household use.

The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a container or reservoir 3 for holding the formalin. In connection with this reser- A pressuregage 7 is connected with the interior of reservoir 3, so as to indicate the air-pressure. A gage-glass 8 is provided on one side of the reservoir 3, having suitable valves 9 9 communicating' with the interior of the receptacle, so as to show the amount of formalin within. An opening 10 is provided for pouring the formalin into the reservoir. Iipc 5 through valve 6 is connected with the volatilizer 11, entirely supported from the reservoir by means of a suitable connecting hose or pipe l2. The volatilizer 11 is preferably of spherical shape and is provided with an opening 13, through which the volatilized vapor escapes. The volatilizer l1 is adapted to be held in a suitable frame 14, within which and beneath the volatilizer 11 is situated a suitable heating arrangement or lamp 15.

In the operation of the apparatus the container or reservoir 3 is charged with formalin through the opening 10, which is then suitably closed. The total amount of the charge will be seen on the gage-glass 8. The valve 6 is then closed and the volatilizer 1l heated by means of the lamp 15 or other suitable heating means. The pump I is then caused to give a certain pressure within the receptacle 3, the pressure being indicated on the pressure-gage 7. When the pressure has reached a suitable degree, the valve 6 is opened and the formalin is forced through the pipes 5 and 12 into the volatilizer 11, where a very rapid and uniform volatilization takes place, the gas passing out through the opening 13.

In Fig. 2 a similar apparatus is illustrated in which the parts are more coinpactly combined. In this figure the formalin-container is divided into two parts scaled from each other by means of wall 1G, one part 17 being' adapted to contain the formalin and the other part 18, in connection with the wick 19, being adapted to act as a burner or heater. In this case the pressure in the compartment containing the formalin is caused by means of a hand bulb 20, which forces the solution through the pipe 21 into the volatilizer 22 and out through the opening' 23 in a manner similar to that already described.

It is obvious that in either of the constructions described only the formalin passing into the volatilizer is heated, that in the reservoir being unaffected by the heat, and as soon as enough formalin has been used to disinfect the particular area desired the lamp can be extinguished and the valve 6 in Fig. 1 turned IOO TIO

olf, or in the apparatus of Fig. 2 air-pressure l chamber, aconnection between the volatilizer I 5 and the formaldehydechamber, and means for forcing the formaldehyde solution into the volatilizer whereby the lamp is permitted to heat the solution in the Volatilizer Without imparting any heat to the solution in the 2O chamber, substantially as described.

In Witness whereof l have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing` Witnesses.

WILLIAM E. RAMSAY. Witnesses:

CAROLINE L. HALL, MARY L. JACOBS. 

